Coast Guard takes lead to ensure clean beaches on International Coastal Clean Up day

ICC was started by the Ocean Conservancy in 1986 to engage volunteers in collecting marine debris.

MANGALURU: Coast Guard district headquarters (DHQ), Karnataka under the aegis of South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme in South Asian Region planning co-ordinated Coastal Cleanup as part of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2018 at beaches of Panambur, Tannirbhavi, Surathkal, Sasihithlu, Malpe and Rabindranath Tagore beach, Karwar on Saturday. ICC was started by the Ocean Conservancy in 1986 to engage volunteers in collecting marine debris. Coastal Security Police, New Mangalore Port Trust, Central Industrial Security Force, Customs and Central Excise, school and College Students, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and volunteers from all walks of life added to Coast Guard efforts of coastal clean-up. Leading industrial and business units of the region supported the event and presence of dignitaries and leaders brought new waves of enthusiasm and motivation amongst the volunteers.

The collected waste materials were put in garbage bags for disposal. DIG SS Dasila, commander, Coast Guard Karnataka who coordinated the coastal clean-up at Panambur beach said, trash in the ocean is widespread and can harm the health of the ocean and its marine life. One major source of trash in the ocean is garbage that washes off the beach and into the ocean, where it can choke or entangle marine life. Dasila urged the gathering to all take a pledge to keep the ocean clean in wake of the hazards that such waste poses.

Incidentally, Coast Guard provided all those participating in the drive with gash bags and protective gloves to undertake the beach and surroundings cleaning. The feeling of togetherness was evident in the team and camaraderie was seen amongst various age groups, professions and organizations. Participants removed waste and non-bio degradable materials littered on the beaches, including wrappers of food articles and plastic bottles thrown by tourists. The collected waste materials were put in garbage bags for disposal. The drive, Dasila said, has created awareness amongst people, while hoping they continue to keep the coastal environment clean in the future. He reminded the gathering that ocean covers 71% of the Earth and helps produce water we drink and air we breathe. It also produces food and recreation opportunities. Despite its importance, the ocean is still not fully explored or understood, he said.